A first-half barrage has seen Manawatu stun Canterbury 32-29 in the Mitre 10 Cup tonight in Christchurch.
A week after needing a 20-point second-half turnaround to deny Southland what would have been their first win in three years, Manawatu this time shot out to a dominant halftime lead, scoring three first-half tries to lead 25-5 at the break.
Unwanted All Black Ngani Laumape was in on the action, crossing after a hilarious bounce saw the ball jump back over the head of a sloppy Josh McKay, while Andre Taylor scored an 80 metre runaway try and kicked a booming penalty from his own half to ensure Manawatu took a sizeable halftime advantage.
Considering how they had struggled against Southland - a team who Canterbury had walloped 80-0 just weeks earlier, it was a big surprise, and although the hosts scored two quick tries after halftime, Brayden Iose crossed to keep Manawatu's lead at a healthy margin.